My husband was laid off Today

[proud patriot]

Well here we go again . He was working as a car salesman , long long hours for very little money
but it was a job . He really didn't like it but after the bush economy cost us our business
it was all he could find .

I know this sounds different but I'm almost happy , he wants to start a business again build his beautiful clocks and spend time with us and the house which have missed him these last 3 years . I don't know what the future holds for us . But at least we have each other and a roof over our heads .

It amazes me how we stifle creativity in this society , by keeping people slaves to wages .

I am blessed to love my Job . I get to be creative everyday with the kids and well it's a new experience everyday too . I wish everyone could find their bliss in life .

Wish us luck ! Let's vote to keep/create more jobs in America.

[Ishoutandscream2]

1. I'm so sorry. Wishing you all the good karma in the world!

[pnwmom]

2. Sorry, proud patriot! I hope with you that your husband

can find a way to turn this into a better opportunity for himself and your family.

[proud patriot]

3. That's how we are looking at it

:hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Good luck! I hope it all turns out for the best. :^)

[Monique1]

8. When he makes clocks again - let us know

Maybe we can support him.

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. Hopefully,

one day you will be able to look back at this trying time and see it as a better opportunity that might not otherwise have opened up.

Peace and best wishes.

[WillyT]

6. Ya Know...

You two could spend more time in the basement...

:evilgrin:

(Inside joke, folks!)

Sorry yet happy for you Trish!

:pals:

:loveya:

:hi:

[proud patriot]

36. Thanks WillyT

:pals:

[cally]

47. I hope he can start building his clocks now

I'm so sorry you have to face this financial stress. :hug:

[proud patriot]

51. Thanks Friend

:hug:

[Ninga]

7. My most sincere and heartfelt best wishes to you and husband. I can relate to your

thoughts about "keeping people slaves to wages."

Our household too was stressed a few years back when my husband lost his job. It took 2 years, but he eventually landed a perfect situation for himself, and although it didn't provide the income of the job he lost, he ended up being very happy.

I hope your husband has a "soft landing" and can find something that makes him happy....

[proud patriot]

14. That is my hope

He was miserable there

[malaise]

9. Hope it's not for long

:grouphug:

[Terra Alta]

10. sorry to hear

But hopefully things will work out in the end.

:hug:

[GoCubsGo]

11. Good luck.

I'm sorry your husband joined "the club". Wish he wasn't here with us.

[wtmusic]

12. Does he have photos of his clocks anywhere online? nt

[DebJ]

16. Great idea! And Christmas is coming............ n/t

[proud patriot]

17. He doesn't have pics , it's been 20 yrs since he made them

But I could take some pics I the ones given to family . Good idea :-)

He takes knots from trees , slices the wood a certain way
and uses different resins depending on the wood . I think they are
Beautiful . Most are at least 2 ft across . The hard part is finding
the right wood . The whole process will be incredibly wonderful for him
after working 6 days a week for the last 3 yrs .

[WinkyDink]

13. BEST of luck, proud patriot!!

[Old and In the Way]

15. Best of luck.

I admire your ability to keep a positive outlook, given the situation and the times.

[proud patriot]

21. We been going through these times for 10 years now Friend

seems like it's always something ya know :hug: Might as well
enjoy the veiw even it's by candlelight .

[mopinko]

18. oh! so sorry. the best of luck to him and your family.

yes, creative people are all but laughed at these days. i have not made jack in 10 years of trying to promote and sell my artwork. it is making me nuts.
i will tell you that some of the people who do the best are the ones that have a spouse that is there to share it with them. what kind of a market do you think he will find? what is there where you live? would he do art fairs?

[proud patriot]

26. We live in the SF bay Area

There are many fairs festivals. My dad is a Computer genius so we were thinking of using his expertise as well . We really don't need much . We live a pretty simple life, our internet
is our 1 luxery .

[mopinko]

58. well, you live in a good area for it, then.

please feel free to drop me a note so i can tell you how not to make money at an art fair. i have a phd in that.

[USA_1]

19. Unemployed?

Just like me. My unemployment benefits ran out last week. Luckily I live in public housing and got a rent adjustment.

Now, if only I could find a wealthy wife!

[EFerrari]

20. I hope you guys are okay, proud patriot.

:grouphug:

[Kind of Blue]

22. You're attitude is wonderfully astounding!

I wish you and your family all the luck in the world. I know you're going to make it and your husband will find his bliss soon.

[stevedeshazer]

23. Good luck.

I have a similar story, I'll spare the details, but I know what you guys are going through. Been there.

Spending time with Mr. Patriot is good. No one leaves this Earth wishing they had worked more.

Best,

Steve

[spanone]

24. so sorry

[KurtNYC]

25. getting fired by a major corporation was the best things that happened

to me in the last 10 years. The job was okay but it stifled me. I lost my partner to cancer and then my job 3 months later. Turned off my cable TV to save money. Spent more time talking to friends, reading, sitting in the sun and cooking great food. A year later I was in biz for myself, working from home and having a dog that I always wanted but didn't want to leave at home 9+ hours per day.

Life is too short to postpone joy. If you know what will make you happy...do it.

[proud patriot]

28. very inspiring KurtNYC

:-)

[conspirator]

68. Reminds me of "Never ending story" by Michael Ende. "Do what you wish" nt

[Froward69]

27. Hang in there, Patriot!

my Nephew had a transition like that. he started a business and hired all of his friends... just last month his business got bought and he and all of his friends have 5 year contracts! His new BOSS bought em out because my Nephew was Kicking his ass in customer service.

Creativity pays off in more ways than one.

[jannyk]

29. Sorry to hear that PP. Wish him every success in his new Venture

:hug:

[riderinthestorm]

30. I am so sorry. I hope your husband can make lemonades from lemons!

It sounds like he has an artistic skill he can turn to and make money. Your positive attitude will go a long way towards making it all a success.

Peace.

[Ruby the Liberal]

31. k&r and blessings to you both!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

32. I really admire your attitude, my dear proud patriot!

Sometimes losing a job like this causes your mind to suddenly discover its creativity...

I hope this (and I'm betting it will) will happen to your husband!

Hang in there, and good luck!

:hug:

[proud patriot]

44. Thanks Peggy

:hug:

[madokie]

33. I'm sending all the good luck this old disabled okie can muster and thats a bunch.

I use my time creating rather than just wasting away too so I can identify with you and your husband.

[dixiegrrrrl]

34. I wonder...have you considered ETSY?

The online market place.

Handmade clocks and Christmas....nice combo.

[proud patriot]

45. Thanks I will look into it

:)

[applegrove]

35. I'm really sorry. Let us hope he finds something as great as what you have.

[seabeyond]

37. i was gonna say. i am sorry. now i am gonna say.... wishin you the best, and luck

positive, it always does a body good.

[Sheepshank]

38. Any journey into a financial unkown

is unsettling to say the least. That you are in a position to even contemplate options is heartening. Good luck.

[dogday]

39. I am really sorry to hear this. I know it is not much but

when one door closes, another one opens. Everything is a possibility. And remember, if you have your health, you will be ok. :hug:

[proud patriot]

43. Thanks my Friend

:hug:

[Dappleganger]

40. Get him to take a look at Etsy...

that looks like a great place to sell custom-made things.

http://www.etsy.com/ "Your place to buy and sell things handmade, vintage and supplies."

Best of luck to you both!

[Canuckistanian]

41. Just curious. What was your business?

I hope it wasn't Real Estate.

on edit: I know your husband built clocks, but how did the business work? Did you sell online? Was it custom-built clocks?

[proud patriot]

42. Paintless Dent Repair

Most of the work came from dealer lots .. when the car industry went down so did the work .
It was a slow death . We should have gone into windshield repair looking back . People need their window repaired so as not to get a ticket . The small dings in parking lots people started to just live with as the economy plumetted in the few retail calls we got .

[Canuckistanian]

48. I once heard of these roving dent repair companies

They went wherever there were severe hailstorms. And they fixed cars on dealer lots that were damaged by hail. And they made TONS of money. or at least they DID.

I thought it was a great idea. Did you ever consider such work?

[proud patriot]

50. He had a freind on the hail team

as a father and husband who onwed his own business he was the only employee so if he left his
bread and butter clients high and dry they would go with someone else . Those car lots fed our
family consistantly for a few years . I was able to stay home with a young son . With the Hail
team it's feast or famine . He chose the bread and butter over the feast or famine .

[PSzymeczek]

110. I drive a Saturn.

Parking lot dings do not worry me. Although someone did hit my bumper on the passenger side...

[RainDog]

46. best wishes to your family

you're lucky to have one another to lessen the burdens and worries.

:hug:

[laughingliberal]

49. I do wish you luck. We've been devastated by this economy ...

but after 3 years, we are still managing to scrape enough little jobs out of my husband's business to eat most days and get gas in the car to get to the work when we have it.

We have some really desparate days and may well wind up homeless. With no reasonable expectation that either of us would ever find a job, though, keeping our little business going is the only option.

There have been some benefits to it, even so. I now work with him in his shop and the work is much more creative than what I did for a living and I don't dread it when it's time for us to go to work. (OK, I hate sanding but nothing's perfect). The other thing is I believe I really know the man I'm married to after all these years and I found I really, really like him. Our life together in the past consisted of us both making it home exhausted after long, grueling hours of work, grabbing whatever we could find to eat that was quick, and falling into bed. Now we actually talk to and enjoy each other and, for that reason, whatever may happen in the future this time has been a blessing.

[Unrepentant Fenian]

52. Good luck, I hope things get better (for all of us) soon. n/t

[Octafish]

53. Good luck!

All the best to You and Yours, proud patriot!

When it comes to true wealth, You have riches beyond measure.

[nadinbrzezinski]

54. Hugs

[political_Dem]

55. I'm so sorry that happened to your husband.

I hope that good luck happens in the endeavors that you embark on. When a door closes, another one opens.

Best Wishes. :hug:

[Catherina]

56. Best of luck to you! You both have me warmest wishes and support

:hug:

[Hannah Bell]

57. it sounds like he's lucky to have you for his partner. best of luck on your new ventures.

[flyarm]

59. Kindest thoughts to you and your family Proud Patriot !!

Every time my husband has lost his job, and we thought things could not be worse..something better always happened and came along and we have been so blessed by each firing!!

I hope only good comes from this for your husband and your family and that you are blessed with better things to come!


Kindest Regards,
fly

[Le Taz Hot]

60. So sorry to hear that, PP.

My spousal unit has been out of work since October 2009 but is also trying to start his own business. We try to keep optimistic and, as you say, there are silver linings. We're spending more really good time together (poor though we may be) and I'm getting time to care for my elderly aunt and more time to work on my macrame (Third Place at the County Fair this year. Woo hoo!)

[yellerpup]

61. Stay strong.

You seem to have a good handle of the situation. To me this looks like opportunity disguised as loss. Things will get better. :hi:

[MrMickeysMom]

62. I stand with you on that wish.. please hang on.

I wish you all the "luck", but you already seem to have the right attitude which turns luck into better outcomes.

Hang in there! :hi:

[riverbendviewgal]

63. Debt is slavery

I believe that capitalism encourages debt....We are bombarded with things that we "need" to buy.


CNN may have a good show tonight. It is not a black or white thing.....It is have and have not thing.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2010/10/21/bia.soaries.oct.21.cnn?hpt=C1

[proud patriot]

93. excellent thanks for the link

[tpsbmam]

64. Excellent

Okay, not being laid off.....that sucks with a capital SUCK! It's your attitudes that are excellent. I always say that life is going to throw all of us shitballs at times. It's how we handle them and what we do with them that makes the difference between floating or drowning. I know sometimes floating seems impossible and, damn, what some people have to go through makes me wonder how they do float, but many do. You two are definite floaters! Best of luck to both of you!

:grouphug: :fistbump:

[Kajsa]

65. I am sorry to hear about

your husband's layoff.
:(

You have a great, positive outlook on life
and I'm sure better things are in store for
all of you.

Do you teach? It sounds like you love working with
the kids- I KNOW- I'm a Home Teacher for our local
school district here.
I LOVE it!!

Best wishes to all of you,PP!

:hug: :grouphug:

[proud patriot]

91. I'm a special education assistant

I work with delayed/disabled 3-5 yr olds .

[Kajsa]

112. Thank you,PP!

We need good, caring people like you
to help our disabled students!

My son who is now 26 has HS autism.
Good, caring people who worked with
him in school made a big difference
in his life.

As both a mom and a teacher, I know
how important it is for all of us to
work together.

:hug:

[Jeffersons Ghost]

66. K&R good luck

[TheKentuckian]

67. My best wishes and deep admiration for your positive attitude.

[WilliamPitt]

69. (((HUG)))

:hug:

[proud patriot]

92. Thanks Friend

:hug:

[Roland99]

70. What kind of clocks?

[Geoff R. Casavant]

71. Perchance does he repair clocks too?

I have a wind-up clock that won't work, and an old cuckoo clock that could use some TLC.

[proud patriot]

94. I'm afraid not

sorry

[madmax]

72. Much love and best wishes to you

and your husband. Everyone seems to be losing a job, can't find a job or are working more jobs to make ends meet without benefits.

We'll be strong and we'll fight and it's going to get better. :hug:

[jtuck004]

73. Well, it sounds like a new chapter, so it may well be a real plus. Good Fortune!! n/t

[bluescribbler]

74. I was laid off for more than 4 months

Although it was a much shorter layoff than for many, (I have a couple of friends who've been unemployed for more than 2 years), it was stressful for me, just the same. Now, after 5 weeks at my new job, my checkbook may finally be in the black again.

What really pisses me off is the idiots who blame Obama for the economy, forgetting that it was under the Chimp that the tailspin began.

[proReality]

75. Best wishes!

[The Backlash Cometh]

76. I so understand what you're saying.

In order to pay the bills, we have to give up what we were born to do.

Reminds me of what J.K. Rowling said. After you lose all those other things, what you're left with is the time to concentrate on that one thing that matters.

[proud patriot]

95. I love that quote

:-)

[datasuspect]

77. was he selling new cars?

it depends too if you sell cars in a place where you ABSOLUTELY must have one to function as an adult. Think mid-market 150k - 200k sized towns with no (or very little) public transportation.

people then have to figure out ways to get a vehicle.

i stayed out of the new car side, worked the used car lot across the US highway from the main dealership building.

after katrina and rita, we made out like bandits. everyone had a fema check and everyone was buying trucks.

plus, there were lots of other dollars that flooded into the economy.

but making between 3500 - to 10000 per week wasn't unheard of.

[proud patriot]

96. yes new cars

[datasuspect]

101. most new car deals are minis anyway

no gross profit in any of these deals.

[proud patriot]

108. exactly

long long hrs 6 days a week for very little money .. It sucked .

[datasuspect]

109. if your spouse has advertising skills and can write some form of copy

there's still plenty of money in advertising and marketing.

the key in this economy is to have a niche and service small to mid sized businesses to help them make more money, generate estimates/leads, etc.

if your spouse know anything about social media, PPC, SEO, SEM, internet marketing campaigns and the like, there is plenty of business.

it's like the web was is in 1996 - the wild west. you can tell anybody anything, but if you can show results they will pay you.

maybe a sideline/consultant thing?

car sales people make the best sales people in any industry.

[lunatica]

78. As someone going through the slows spiral into homelessness I wish you luck

I hope grinding worry doesn't dry up your husband's creativity.

Sorry I can't be more positive, but my wish for your husband's success is sincere.

[proud patriot]

97. My best wishes to you

:hug:

[southernyankeebelle]

79. It's so damn scary out there. I pray your happy and your husband can find peace of mind during this

turmoil. I remember when my dad was laid off. He had retired from the military and we moved to a new state. My dad worked to suppose my mom and 6 kids. He was a good man. That was the first time I ever saw my dad cry. But he did find a job and he kept it til the day he died. My heart goes out to people who have lost their jobs and honestly don't know where to turn. God bless them. The republicans sure don't give a damn.

[DeschutesRiver]

80. And this might sound equally different, but I was sad when I read about the layoff

and then actually happy when I read about your dh's dream of building clocks and being close to his family.

All we have are a few short years here on this planet, and to spend them doing something you love and spending time with those you love is the best life a person could have.

I hope you guys get through this transition with only minimal pain, and that you find a way for both of you to realize your "bliss" - you have it exactly right on the bliss point. Take care, and know that someone in Oregon is thinking positive thoughts for a wonderful future for your family:)

[proud patriot]

98. thanks

:-)

[awoke_in_2003]

81. good luck to you...

do you have a website to showcase his clocks? I would be interested to see the work, and the wife likes nice clocks. I don't think it would be spamming to post it in a reply, as you are not soliciting- I am asking. Or, you could PM me if you prefer.

[rasputin1952]

82. Best of luck...

and I'm a clock fiend...:D

:hug:

[proud patriot]

99. Thanks Ras

:loveya:

[barbtries]

83. wishing you all the best

my son went out on his own as a plumber i guess it's 3 or 4 years now, and he's doing well. i just mention that because it looks as if you're in CA and so is he, and most of the news from home sounds so dire most of the time.

[David Zephyr]

84. K&R.

This is the worst recession in my life. It's an odd thing how we are conditioned to think that somehow we did something wrong. We didn't.

I do wish you luck as you requested, but more than that I also wish you love. It sounds like you have a wonderful relationship and that's the real wealth you have in the bank. We are going to come through all of this. K&R for your O.P. and your attitude. :)

[bobburgster]

85. Sorry, but like you said, it may be a blessing in disguise.

Good luck to all of you!

[LWolf]

86. I hope for the best for you and yours. nt

[grace0418]

87. I know the feeling. Getting laid off almost two years ago was the best thing

to happen to me in a long time. I work for myself, get treated with respect (something I never had at my last job), and make twice as much money. I wish your husband all the luck. If it works out it could be the best thing to happen to him.

[onethatcares]

88. I really wish you the best (your husband also)

I constantly wonder how close to the edge I'm standing too and at my age, don't want to start all over again.

May your days turn out bright and your love for each other be what keeps you looking forward

Peace

[snappyturtle]

89. Go for it! I am in a position of recent days of caretaker for my

94 year old mother. I had just gotten a job after of thirty years having my own business (long story). Anyway, I found it VERY difficult to work for others. At least I had some control over my work when I had my business. Now I am getting ready for an art show (I sculpt) and will sell on the web. Sounds so-o good to me.

I wish you both the best.

[myrna minx]

90. All of my best to you.

:hug:

[Sherman A1]

100. Best of Luck!

To You Both!

[mzmolly]

102. I'm sorry Proud Patriot.

:( I know how tough sales can be in this economy. I hope you're husband will find something that he enjoys doing.

~ Hugs

[peace frog]

103. Best wishes to you both

and here's to a happier, more productive future for your husband.

I voted today! and now, for you, I'm so glad I did. Take care.

[femrap]

104. There are so many people who stay in

jobs that they hate because of the health insurance provided. Creativity and an optimistic outlook of possibilities is squashed. Life becomes drudgery. The desire to escape increases.

You are very lucky to have a job that is creative and offers diversity.

Good luck...It sounds as though all will work out for you.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

105. What you say about creativity - Bingo.

My very best wishes to you and you husband.

[revolution breeze]

106. I am in week 4 of unemployment

In my industry this is the slowest time fo the year, so I am branching out looking for any opportunity I can. I wish your husband and family the best of luck.

[KoKo]

107. Good Luck to you "PP"...and we had a similar circumstance

after 2000 Melt Down. Hubby managed to go out on his own...with my help..and we are doing very okay today but it's been a bumpy ride. He is happier today than when he worked for "BIG CORPORATION"..so sometimes some folks need to do things on their own given the corruption of the Corpos and the Mis-Management and trashing of the "true" small business that aren't just franchises or supported by other Corporate Means.

Sometimes going at it "on one's own" works out.. and I hope it does for you two! It's better for us now than it was back then..but there are compromises. Hopefully Obama's Health Care changes will make things better for folks like us who were scrambling to come up with the $20,000 per year for our health care after we lost Cobra. Since we are still independent we are paying the same, even after the health care reform...but we have to hope that the changes that are moved forward will be better for our biggest expense.

:hug:

[Omaha Steve]

111. Sending some good Karma your way

K&R!

[grilled onions]

113. It's TIME For Such Creativity In This Country

What we need to create is products that are better,more unique and actually come from the U.S of A. We have the talented hands. We just need to use them. Quilts,clocks,heirloom quality furniture,sweaters. We did it once. We can do it again. Many would be very willing to buy such items. It may start with only those who have money as customers but once more people are hired,taught the skills to create such products even they will be able to buy them. China will always be there with their cheap,inferior goods which is why we need to create better quality. It would stand out from the rest.
I truly hope your husband can get his clocks "running" again!!!